Friday, August 22, 2008

Bloggin' Olympic Style

Just shining up my gold medals wondering how Marion Jones is enjoying the track and field competition from the clink.

* It was great to see that Michael Phelps was able to live up to the unbelievably high standard that was set for him. I don't think even the most optimistic fan thought that he would really win all eight gold medals. It brings up two interesting points. (1) Is he the greatest Olympian ever (probably) and (2) will he ever have to be a working stiff like you and I (not a chance. see: Jenner, Bruce or Retton, Mary Lou). The one point I do want to make clear is that he did not necessarily overtake Mark Spitz's accomplishment from the 1972 Munich games. The sport has changed so much since then in terms of fashion (Spitz: Speedo, mop top hair, mustache to Phelps: Razr, cap, goggles, flippers for feet), not to mention the training, nutrition, etc. Let's not compare apples to oranges but appreciate each one's accomplishments for what they are...truly dominating performances in a sport that has evolved 100 fold over the last 36 years.

* I am forever indebted to the person that came up with the sport of beach volleyball. Not so much that my Monday nights are occupied in a summer rec league, but for the scantily clad "uniforms" the female players wear and of course the cheerleaders! This guy gets my vote for president! On a serious note, fans may have been drawn in by the sex appeal but have been able to watch some exceptionally skilled Americans on both the men's and women's side and a new dynamic to an already entertaining sport.

* Thank God, the "Redeem" Team did not lay an egg in '08 like they did in Athens. It seems now that the USA Basketball has finally checked their arrogance at the door and formed an actual team with players that can handle specific roles instead of a bunch of one-dimensional players that can't shoot or play defense if their life depended on it (yes, I am talking to you Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury). It is just sad that it took us so long to figure out that not only had the rest of the world caught up to us in talent but was kicking our backsides at a game we should have always dominated.

* Bryan Clay won the decathlon becoming the first American man to win the 10-discipline event at the Olympics since 1996. The 2004 Olympic silver medalist and 2005 world champion, Clay finished with 8,791 points defeating Andrei Krauchanka of Belarus who took silver at 8,551. For what is believed to be the true test of athletic greatest with 10 grueling events over two days, I am shocked that Clay's victory is not a major story considering the hype that surrounded the last two American decathlon gold medalists Bruce Jenner in 1976 (woo hoo, two Jenner references in one blog...that deserves a medal) and Dan O'Brien at Atlanta in 1996. Jenner's victory was so big he parlayed that into numerous endorsements, an acting career and later in life an interview with me (Ok, so 2 out 3 isn't bad) and who could forget the famous Dan & Dave Reebok campaign for the Barcelona games in 1992 with hopes that Dan O'Brien and Dave Johnson could finish gold and silver in the Olympics. Johnson won bronze in '92 while O'Brien failed to qualify only to redeem himself four years later. So, the question remains, is there any room for Clay on the Mount Rushmore of Beijing Olympic greatness next to the eight sculptures of Phelps?

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Back from my spring fling

Long time reader, first time blogger. So a friend of mine pointed out today that I had not written a blog entry since March Madness. My feable attempt to convince her that the last entry was a true masterpiece of American journalism did not float so here I am. So, without wasting more time, let's get down to business...

Lot of stuff sitting around in the ole sports shorts (yes, their is a rather off-color pun in there):

* USA basketball announced the men's basketball team yesterday and I was very excited to see that the powers that be finally woke up and decided to put an actualy team together and not just 12 NBA all-stars. USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo did an outstanding job or trying to correct the faux pas that led to our pathetic bronze medal finish in 2002. I am sad that Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan are not playing by their choice, this team has everything you need to be elite. The squad includes one of the best shooters (Michael Redd) and defenders (Tashaun Prince). Two solid point guards (Jason Kidd & Chris Paul), dominate scorers (LeBron James, Kobe Bryant & Carmelo Anthony) and a shot blocker in Dwight Howard. Now, the big question will be, with the talent gap around the world narrowed, is the U.S. once again the dominate country?

* The NBA draft is Thursday night and it is by far the most entertaining. Not so much to watch 5'4" David Stern shake hands with 7 foot foreigners with names he can't pronounce but to see all of these young guys in their outlandish suits. The duds make Craig Sager and Don Cherry blush. In honesty, I am just really jealous that I can not pull off a purple suit with lime green pinstripes with 16 buttons and a jacket that goes to my knees (but, I will still give it the old college try).

* Allow me a moment to call USA women's basketball coach Anne Donovan a two-faced idiot. She recently called WNBA star and reigning leauge MVP Becky Hammon unpatriotic because Hammon, an American who has and will again play pro ball in Russia, decided to compete for the Russians in the Olympics because USA basketball turned her away. I guess Donovan didn't think the best player in our only professional league was good enough to represent our country but on the other hand doesn't want Hammond to have a shot at playing in the Olympics at all. Nancy Lieberman, maybe the most respected figure in women's basketball said, "Becky's image is impeccable. She's the consummate All-American girl." Many female basketball players play overseas and make more money and acquire passports from those countries, some even stay after their careers are over. Many athletes have competed for other countries, they aren't born or raised in and we celebrate them for geting a chance to compete on the world's largest stage. Are all of them unpatroitic? Last time I checked, Russia is now a U.S. ally, she is not playing for the Osama All-Stars or Iraq. A few have said that USA basketball's selections were political and that Hammon wasn't given a fair shot at making the U.S. team. I find it odd that Hammon can be considered one of the two or three best players currently in OUR country but is not one of the best 12 to represent our country. USA basketball turned their back on Hammon and that is disappointing. If Donovan wants to point a finger or shoot her mouth off, she should look in the mirror. She made Hammon's decision for her. I for one, will be rooting for Hammon in Beijing.

* As we get to the summer and baseball takes center stage, I hope that the Chicago Cubs can follow in the footsteps of the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox and finally break their World Series drought. The loveable losers as they have been called in the past have solid pitching, good veteran leadership, a great manager and the best fans in baseball. God, I don't ask for much and you know I'm a Blue Jays fan, but please be kind to the Cubbies this year!

* Ken Griffey, Junior recently hit home run #600. Griffey has been very unlucky with injuries since he joined the Reds in 2000. He probably has missed 2-3 full seasons with injuries and in the live ball era we live in that #600 could have been #700 and he not you know who would be replacing Hank Aaron as the all-time home run king. Let's just hope A-Rod keeps his HR pace and interest in the game to last long enough to remove the current tainted HR leader.

Friday, March 28, 2008

Gotta love the Dance

Just sitting here wondering whatever happened to Tyus Edny. He should make an album or something with all the pub he's getting from that commercial for Coke with his tourney buzzer beater from the mid 90's.

Once again, the NCAA basketball tournament has proven to be the most excited and frustrating sporting event on the planet.

The thrill of victory, seeing the 12 seed you picked upset a major conference opponent or the agony of defeat seeing that 13 seed upend your alma mater after you had them in the Final 4.

Every year, I strongly feel that I have filled out my bracket flawlessly only to see one of my Final 4 teams get bounced the first weekend (thanks, Georgetown). We also get to see each year that a "mid-major" shows the big boys that they can hang with the cool kids (thanks, Davidson).

So as we enter the weekend anticipating the Final 4, let's look back on last weekend's highs and lows.

Highs:
* Seeing the country find out who Stephon Curry is. I got to see him last year when Davidson played here in Buffalo and the folks here knew this kid was special after the show he put on last year in there loss to Maryland (made Gary Williams a believer).

*Siena, the little Catholic school in Albany, taking down a Vandy team that had already upended a #1 team in the regular season. Only Siena alums had them winning this game.

* Western Kentucky making the Sweet 16. Be honest, not even WKU alums had them this far!

*Belmont nearly upsetting Duke. Duke let Belmont hang around too long and are extremely lucky to have won this game.

Lows:
* Duke. Should have never been a #2 seed and they proved it. No big man this year for Coach K and should have been ranked much lower. They played bad in both games and should have been bounced in the first round.

*Drake. A mid-major yes, but they had such a good season to tank in the first round even though they got the dreaded 5 seed.

*UConn. If UConn played San Diego again 100 times the old cliche of they'd win 99 doesn't seem to work this time. I would like San Diego's chances in those other games too. Like Duke, UConn was not what they used to be.

After all was said and done, I only lost Georgetown out of my Final 4. So, now I would love to see Davidson be the new George Mason but they would have to get by a strong Wisconsin team first then most likely Kansas in the Elite 8. May be too much for them to swallow.

The rest of my Final 4 bracket:
East: North Carolina
South: Texas
West: UCLA

National Title:
North Carolina over UCLA 65-62

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Checking my shorts...

Bloggin', wondering whatever happened to Damon Bailey.

* ESPN announced Bobby Knight will be a new studio host for select college basketball shows around the network. I never thought this would be the General's cup of tea but I'm glad it is. You can never have enough analysts that shoot you straight. If he is half as entertaining as his press conferences were, we all are in for some fun! He will be college's version of Charles Barkley.

* I'm a bit surprised about all the "experts" that are dumping on Shaq and the Phoenix Suns. I know I'm in the minority on this, but I think it was a good trade for them. What they lacked was leadership, championship experience, and some defense, all things that the Big Cactus brings to the valley of the sun. Yes, his numbers have not been great in the first few games but once he gets fully healthy in a few weeks, most will be eating their words. Shaq feeds off of these naysayers and will have a big impact on the playoffs when the pace slows down to his forte. He was great in Miami when many thought he was out of gas and, I, for one, am not counting him out.

* The FBI took up the Roger Clemens case, told by the Justice Department to investigate whether he lied when he testified to Congress he never took performance-enhancing drugs. This just in...HE LIED!!!! Did anyone really buy his sorry excuse of a testimony. He made himself look like a jackass. He blamed everyone but his mother for doing 'roids but of course had no idea that they were doing it. He even threw his own wife under the bus. Nice husband. He and Brian McNamee, who is also a bad liar, should rot in the same cell together. Clemens will get what he deserves for wasting everyone's time and taxpayer money with this nonsense.

* On that note, can our esteemed politicians take their noses out of sports and concentrate on the real problems that are facing this country. I honestly care more about why I'm still paying over $3 for a gallon for gas instead of whether Roger Clemens took steroids. Aren't we still fighting a war that President Bush declared victory on over four years ago? I appreciate them trying to clean up sports but seriously, when you get our boys out of Iraq and get me paying $1.50 at the pump, I will gladly watch you grill athletes about their drug use. By the way, thanks for taking time out of the Barry Bonds case to sign off on our extra tax refund that is coming in May.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Why the Giants won

First off, I can't be happier that the New England Patriots failed in their quest to become "the greatest team of all-time". For the record, I said all along that the Pats were not going to win the Super Bowl. But, I'm not here to gloat. There are some very basic answers to why the Patriots failed on the biggest stage in sports.

The Giants got to Tom Brady and made him work for everything they got. If you saw the games that NE almost lost, each team got to rattle Brady. He is not a fan of being hit and loses his cool when he gets popped in the mouth a few times.

How many times were they asked about perfection down the stretch of the season and the playoffs? Did you notice it has been a long time since they blew a team out like they did in September and October. Not only does that question get old, but then they start being a bit conservative which makes them prone to mistakes. The only reason they didn't lose in the regular season is that the Giants, Ravens, and Eagles made crucial mistakes at the end...far worse than the Pats. They were lucky to win those games. They didn't beat those teams, those teams beat themselves with stupid mistakes.

Pressure. They can say what they want, but they folded under the pressure of perfection. They played their worst game in two years against the Giants. If the elderly Pats defense can hold a team to 17 points, the Pats offense usually has that many by the middle of the second quarter. Their Super Bowl game plan was horrendous. They played not to lose and lost.

Lastly, they were the victims of karma. Call me crazy, but I just can't see a team that cheats like they did get rewarded at the end. Yes, they did cheat. $750,000 in fines means they did. What better way to get back at the Pats then to have them taste perfection only to rip it away from them when everyone is watching. You may not believe in the "higher power". Think about the 2007 Patriots. They were laughing their way to immortality until "something" drop kicked them off the ole karma train. Bill must believe, he couldn't even stay until the end!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Super Bowl XLII

I will gladly take my 6-4 playoff record into the Super Bowl with another bold prediction.

New York Giants vs. New England Patroits
Sunday, Feb. 3 6:18 p.m. (FOX)
University of Phoenix Stadium,
Glendale, Arizona

I'll be honest with you, after the Giants beat the Packers last Sunday, I thought they had no chance to win the Super Bowl. Now, I'm thinking otherwise.

* The Giants come in as not only the hottest team but the hottest road team winning their last 10, yes, last 10 road games and knocking off the top two teams in the NFC.

* Eli Manning is playing like Peyton. I keep waiting for him to realized he is Eli Manning but I think this new confidence is here to stay.

* Giants defense has been playing smart and forcing the opposing QB to make mistakes.

* They keep proving everyone wrong.

The Patroits on the other hand haven't looked so great over the last six weeks and are fortunate to still be undfeated.

* The Chargers defense smartly forced Tom Brady to make mistakes. Too bad their offense could not capitalize on it.

* Did anyone tell Randy Moss that the playoffs started. The Jags and Chargers both proved you can shut down Moss if needed.

* Karma has to catch up with them. As much as they try to tell us otherwise, they did cheat. The league did slap a $250K fine on the team and a $500K fine on the man in the hoodie. They don't just do that to fun. What better way to teach the Pats a lesson, kicking them off the karma train when they can taste immortality.

With all of that said, I think the Giants D-line will give Brady fits and force him to make mistakes or at least frustrate him enough to throw off his rythmn. The Giants will challenge the Pats dinosaur LB crew to stop their one-two punch of Jacobs and Bradshaw.

I know what you are saying, the Giants have no chance. Maybe, but these two cities were part of the biggest Super Bowl upsets. Remember a guy named Joe Willy Namath with the Jets...they were 16 point dogs to the Colts. Everyone laughed when Namath said they would win. The Pats were not supposed to win their first Super Bowl against the St. Louis Rams greatest show on turf. Kurt Warner was talking dynasty prior to that game. Neither the '69 Jets or '01 Pats had any business being in the Super Bowl, but won anyway.

The Giants almost upended the Pats week 17 (falling 38-35). This time, the Giants get the last laugh as Eli Manning runs in the game winning TD as the New York football Giants end the Pats perfect season, 28-24.

Enjoy the game!

Friday, January 18, 2008

NFL Conference Championship weekend

After an impressive wild card weekend (3-1), I slipped a bit in the divisional round going just 2-2. I was shocked the Colts lost but am not surprised that Dallas fell on their face. Still doing well at 5-3 in the playoffs so let's tackle the conference championships.

AFC, Championships: Sunday, Jan. 20
San Diego at New England, 6:00 p.m. (CBS)
I thought the Jags and Colts each had a shot to beat New England. San Diego does not. I'm shocked they beat the Colts, especially without LT. Losing Philip Rivers isn't that big of a loss. After all, he is only slightly better than backup Billy Volek. Brady and company should light up the Chargers defense. SD may put some points up but this could be a shootout and the Pats thrive on that style of play. NE 42-28.

NFC, Championships: Sunday, Jan. 20
New York at Green Bay, 2:30 p.m. (FOX)
NY has been playing great but I'm still not convinced that they can keep this high level of play going. Yes, they have won 9 in a row on the road but this is probably the game that Eli Manning comes back down to earth. Green Bay will get some pressure on Manning and force him into mistakes. Brett Favre actually plays better in the cold. GB moves on, 24-17.

Super Bowl XLII: Sunday, Feb. 3, 6 p.m.,
University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale, Ariz.)
Green Bay vs. New England
Brady is looking to get into Super Bowl lore of Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw with four rings. Favre looking for his second SB title. In the warm weather, this turns into an old western shootout. I think the GB defense can slow NE down just a little bit more than the NE D can slow down Favre. NE's defense is old and is worn out. GB's defense is young and will take some chances. Favre gets the last laugh with a late TD pass to Greg Jennings to seal a 38-35 victory.

Call me crazy for this not ending in a Patriots perfect season but karma says the Pats can't possibly run the table. Besides, the '72 Dolphins slipped me a few bucks to get them knocked out!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

NFL Playoff predictions week 2

I went 3-1 during the Wild Card round only losing on Pittsburgh but I did say it was going to be a close game. Not to pat myself on the back but I also corrected predicted the final score of the NY Giants-Tampa Bay game (check last week's entry).

This week the folks that had bye's are not back on the field. Here's how they breakdown:

AFC Divisional Round

Saturday, Jan. 12
Jacksonville at New England, 8 p.m. ET (CBS)
Yes, I realize I had Pittsburgh in this game last week but actually think the Jacksonville has a better chance than them to spring the upset (I know that logic doesn't make any sense but I didn't think I was going to have to use it). For Jacksonville to win, they need to control the ball for 38-40 minutes with Fred Jackson and Maurice Jones-Drew. The way to beat the Patriots is to keep their offense off the field and wear down their old LB's. As much as I hate NE this is not the week that they blow their perfect although if the weather is crappy and QB Tom Brady can't toss 50 passes this could be a backyard brawl. I really want to pick Jacksonville but I think New England gets by, barely, 24-21.

Sunday, Jan. 13
San Diego at Indianapolis, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
I was extremely unimpressed with San Diego last week. They barely beat the Titans who had a rash of injuries and the guys that did get on the field were pretty dinged up. They waste a lot of their talent. TE Antonio Gates will be out for the game so that should make QB Philip Rivers look mediocore. The Colts get WR Marvin Harrison back this week and have had a week to rest up everyone else. QB Peyton Manning will not make the same mistakes he did when they played in SD earlier this season. Manning throws four TD's and the Colts runaway, 41-17.


NFC Divisional Round

Saturday, Jan. 12
Seattle at Green Bay, 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
The site of the famous coin toss with Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck saying they will take the ball and win only to throw an interception that was returned for a TD a few years back. Seattle coach Mike Holmegren will have the 'hawks ready but the Pakcers and QB Bret Favre don't lose much on their home turf. Farve still has his old coaches number and with temps to be around freezing, GB all the way 28-17.

Sunday, Jan. 13
New York Giants at Dallas, 4:30 p.m., ET (FOX)
The Dallas players ran amuck in the off week which makes me skeptical about their focus. The Giants looked great last week, but Dallas will not suffer the same playoff mistake as they did last season and QB Tony Romo will ask Jessica Simpson to watch at home. Eli Manning comes back down to earth, throwing a few picks, Dallas 31-20.


These are the same picks from week one without any changes:
AFC, NFC championships: Sunday, Jan. 20
Indianapolis at New England, TBA (CBS)
If the Patriots are going to lose in the playoffs, this is the day. New England will have the mother of all snow storms haulting the Pats potent passing game. Indy RB Joseph Addai becomes the star running the Colts back into the Super Bowl as he tears up NE's aging LB corps, Indy in a squeaker 28-24.

Green Bay at Dallas, TBA (FOX)
Dallas beat GB in the regular season but in Favre's possible swan song (I know we say that every year) he rises to the occasion with one of his biggest games of his career carrying the young Pack on his back to the Super Bowl, 31-28.

Super Bowl XLII: Sunday, Feb. 3, 6 p.m.,
University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale, Ariz.)
Green Bay vs. Indianapolis
Both Manning and Favre looking for their second SB title. In the warm weather, this turns into an old western shootout as Favre gets the last laugh with a late TD pass to Greg Jennings to seal a 38-35 victory.

Call me crazy for this not ending in a Patriots perfect season but karma says the Pats can't possibly run the table. Besides, the '72 Dolphins slipped me a few bucks to get them knocked out!

Saturday, January 05, 2008

NFL Playoff Predictions

The NFL playoffs start today but I will breakdown the whole month of playoffs for you and why.

AFC Wild Card Weekend

Saturday, Jan. 5
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5) at 4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
Heinz Field, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)
Everyone in America thinks Jacksonville is the trendy pick to go far in the playoffs. While I like their running game and the fact that QB David Garrard doesn't turn the ball over, Pittsburgh has more playoff veteran's and that counts for a lot. Plus, the Steelers are playing at home and were not happy they got embarrassed a few weeks back by these same Jags. Pittsburgh wins in a close one, 21-17.

Sunday, Jan. 6
6. Tennessee Titans (10-6) at 3. San Diego Chargers (11-5)
Qualcomm Stadium, 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
San Diego is famous for the implosion in last year's playoffs but the fact that the Titans could be down their starting QB and two WR, things don't look good. All SD needs to do is give LT the ball and run into the next round. Let's see if Norv Turner is smart enough to do that, SD 35-20.

First-round byes
1. New England Patriots (16-0) and 2. Indianapolis Colts (13-3)
are the top two seeds in the conference and have first-round byes.

NFC Wild Card Weekend

Saturday, Jan. 5
6. Washington Redskins (9-7) at 3. Seattle Seahawks (10-6)
Qwest Field, 4:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
The Redskins are a great story winning their last four games and may be the hottest team coming into the playoffs. I have always been a Matt Hasselbeck fan and he has won big games before. This is the week the 'skins and QB Todd Collins come back down to earth, Seattle 20-10.

Sunday, Jan. 6
5. New York Giants (10-6) at 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
Raymond James Stadium, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
The Giants are easily the worst team in the playoffs. I watched them live and was unimpressed. QB Eli Manning still has a lot to prove but I don't buy into Tampa Bay at all, Giants 24-14.

First-round byes
1. Dallas Cowboys (13-3) and 2. Green Bay Packers (13-3)
are the top two seeds in the conference and have first-round byes.


AFC Divisional Round

Saturday, Jan. 12
Pittsburgh at New England, 8 p.m. ET (CBS)
As much as I hate NE this is not the week that they blow their perfect although if the weather is crappy and QB Tom Brady can't toss 50 passes this could be the big upset of the playoffs. My heart says Pittsburgh but my mind knows Pats, NE 35-14.

Sunday, Jan. 13
San Diego at Indianapolis, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
The Colts are still the champions until someone knocks them off. QB Peyton Manning doesn't lose very much in the dome and will have Marvin Harrison back, Indy 31-24.


NFC Divisional Round

Saturday, Jan. 12
Seattle at Green Bay, 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
The site of the famous coin toss with Hasselbeck saying they will take the ball and win only to throw an interception that was returning for a TD a few years back. Favre still has his old coaches number and with temps to be around freezing, GB all the way 28-17.

Sunday, Jan. 13
New York Giants at Dallas, 4:30 p.m., ET (FOX)
Dallas will not suffer the same playoff mistake as they did last season and QB Tony Romo will ask Jessica Simpson to watch at home. Eli Manning comes back down to earth, throwing a few picks, Dallas 31-20.

AFC, NFC championships: Sunday, Jan. 20
Indianapolis at New England, TBA (CBS)
If the Patriots are going to lose in the playoffs, this is the day. New England will have the mother of all snow storms haulting the Pats potent passing game. Indy RB Joseph Addai becomes the star running the Colts back into the Super Bowl as he tears up NE's aging LB corps, Indy in a squeaker 28-24.

Green Bay at Dallas, TBA (FOX)
Dallas beat GB in the regular season but in Favre's possible swan song (I know we say that every year) he rises to the occasion with one of his biggest games of his career carrying the young Pack on his back to the Super Bowl, 31-28.

Super Bowl XLII: Sunday, Feb. 3, 6 p.m.,
University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale, Ariz.)
Green Bay vs. Indianapolis
Both Manning and Favre looking for their second SB title. In the warm weather, this turns into an old western shootout as Favre gets the last laugh with a late TD pass to Greg Jennings to seal a 38-35 victory.

Call me crazy for this not ending in a Patriots perfect season but karma says the Pats can't possibly run the table. Besides, the '72 Dolphins slipped me a few bucks to get them knocked out!